This article is a description of a spiritual support group developed by Adventures in Spiritual Living to encourage and support the spiritual experience of the group members and friends. It is here to inform you of the benefits of such a group and how to conduct one if you wish. It is an enjoyable gathering for social and spiritual purposes.
What Is a Spiritual Support Group?
A spiritual support group is a gathering of spiritual seekers whose primary purpose is mutual support, encouragement and inspiration in the adventure of living a spiritual life in the material world. In this kind of group, participants share their experiences, wisdom, and insights. Group members explore how to apply spiritual values to actual life events. They begin to live as a mutually supportive spiritual family.
For a support group to function effectively, members need time to share their experiences of living, to bring up questions, to explore answers together. The focus is on specific, practical matters of everyday life such as:
- learning the basics of what constitutes love
- learning to love, even in the face of hostility or indifference
- exploring what values build character and one’s soul
- coping with opposition on important matters
- reaching out to help others as you pass by
- deciding to restrain yourself for the benefit of others
- trying to understand how to bring spiritual beliefs and solutions into daily material life— situations at work, in the family, with in-laws, with friends
It Must Be a Safe Place
It is essential to make the group a safe place in which people can reveal themselves and take chances they may not ordinarily take in expressing their ideals and values. The basic attitudes of everyone in the group need to be gentleness, respect, trust, and tolerance.
It is a good idea to make it clear in advance to anyone who is invited to participate just what kind of group it is. Discussion groups usually involve analytical and critical thought processes. A spiritual support group, in addition, requires empathy, careful listening, understanding, sympathy, creative and cooperative problem solving, and sharing of spiritual truth and of relevant personal experience.
It is possible, especially with a new participant, that it may become necessary to intervene in a polite manner if the person slips into criticism, defensiveness, attempting to solve another person’s problem, advocacy, telling another what he should do, interrupting, or monopolizing time. In a spiritual support group, members are sharing and thinking together, not negotiating solutions, criticizing choices, or insisting on agreement.
Suggestions to Group Members
Members need to be accepting and respectful of each other. There will always be differences in levels of intellectual, emotional and spiritual maturity. It is important to simply accept everyone, including yourself.
Have faith in your fellow group members. Expect them to choose the higher way or idea, if not immediately, then eventually. Resist the temptation to attempt to solve their problems. Solving their problems displays a lack of faith in the ability and wisdom of the person who brought up the problem. It is much more fruitful to allow the person to explore solutions with the group. Everyone grows and learns in the process. The person who brought up the problem is left free to make his or her own choices—and they end up feeling more capable and prepared for life. A spiritual support group is a sharing activity among a family of friends.
There are excellent opportunities in a spiritual support group to better understand your fellow members, to know their motives, their spiritual goals and ambitions, even to see their weak spots. Such understanding is the first step to loving them. It may be intimate and should be treated as confidential. So, when you listen:
- Listen with a sincere desire to understand.
- Look for good motives.
- Watch for attitudes and values you recognize and share.
- Emphasize the similarities between you rather than the differences.
These are choices you make about your approach to other people which foster your loving attitude and encourage sound friendships.
Leadership
Many activities suitable for spiritual support groups are posted on the AdventuresInSpiritualLiving.com website. It can be used as a source of activities for a support group. It is a good idea to have at least two or three people who are willing to serve as program leaders so that responsibility for planning and leading meetings can be rotated. Some of our activities are easy to lead. Other activities may require planning and competent leadership. The commitment of attendees will soon fade if meetings are allowed to wander for lack of planning and leadership.
Benefits
The spiritual support group is a warm and enriching spiritual experience. It provides a loving atmosphere which comforts, strengthens and recharges each participant. Your longings for a close, nurturing spiritual family can be filled. You will carry away from each meeting a new energy to cope with the challenges of living the spiritual life in the material world.
A spiritual support group is sharing your spiritual lives and supporting each other. It is not a solemn event, nor is it a group therapy. It is fun. At times it can be a celebration with loving family members. Enjoy!
